WEEKEND TAKEAWAY: Confusion Hits Arsenal Following Draw With Watford

Spain Reclaim World Cup Title

It almost came as a surprise when Team USA were knocked out of the FIBA World Cup 2019 after they were defeated by France following a not so impressive display in the knockout round.

Spain, on the other hand, completed their undefeated run at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China with a 95-75 victory against Argentina in the Final to capture the Naismith Trophy at the Wukesong Sport Arena in Beijing.

Ricky Rubio, who was eventually named the Most Valuable Player, paced the winners with 20 points while Marc Gasol added 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists to lead the Spaniards to their second World Cup title, repeating as champions after a 13-year break. Their first title also came on Asian soil in Japan.

It was also the second World Cup triumph for Gasol and Rudy Fernandez, who both were part of the title-winning team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2006.

Their second Asian triumph makes Spain one of a few countries to have won multiple World Cups, alongside Brazil, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Soviet Union, United States, and Yugoslavia.

For Argentina, their second-place finish in China is their best performance since 2002, when they also ended up runners-up. They won the inaugural edition of the competition in 1950.

A Confused Arsenal And A More Confused Coach

When Unai Emery was named Arsenal manager, succeeding Arsene Wenger who has spent 21 seasons at the North London club, there seemed to be fresh air for only a brief moment until flashes of the former manager started to show in the Spaniard.

Over the summer window, Arsenal fortified their squad with the £75 million record signing of Ivorian winger Nicolas Pepe with the Gunner community hoping to put an end to their weariness at the end of every game. But the opposite is still the case.

Arsenal had gone two goals ahead of hosts Watford, who have been the worst team so far this season, and had the chance to finish off the game with just one more goal which would inadvertently put them in the third spot on the log. However, “Unai Wenger” took out his best performer Dani Ceballos for Joe Willock in the 60th minute just after The Hornets began their comeback, and then Mesut Özil for Reiss Nelson.

Arsenal were not forced to a draw but rather handed Watford the opportunity to claim a point over them in a manner that showed that the home (with ‘Kiko’ Flores making a return) side wanted it more.

Forget all the English above, in simple words, Arsenal have been trash this so far and it doesn’t look too good for them going forward. Maybe I’ll eat my words later.

Booed For 90 Minutes, Hero In +1

It really sucks to be in Neymar’s shoes right now following a tumultuous summer transfer window. How bad have you wanted something and didn’t get it? And in the end, labeled disloyal?

The 27-year-old Brazilian had not played in any of PSG’s first four matches this season as a transfer saga involving his former club Barcelona played out with the window closing on September 2.

The home fans booed almost every time he touched the ball, however, in stoppage time the star earned a little applause when he scored something close to a goal of the season with a bicycle kick that grazed the left post before finding the back of the net. Even as some cheered, others booed the striker.

In situations like these, the player would be disgusted with the fans but Neymar has taken it “like a man” and has said that the fans have a right to boo him while also claiming that the rest of the matches he gets to feature in this season will be played as an away game for him.

After that performance, it is certain Neymar will not play next season with the French giants.

Tyson Fury On A Road To Redemption With Bloody Face

With a title rematch against longtime rival Deontay Wilder in sight, Tyson Fury defeated Otto Wallin at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to keep his head held high before the February 22 encounter.

Fury survived a nasty cut above his right eye after a left hook from Wallin caught him in the third round, which left him bloodied for the rest of the fight despite officials showing concern. But the Brit fought on and fought hard till the final round and won unanimously by 116-112 117-111 118-110.

Greater damage would have been done already had the fight been stopped, since the major injury was inflicted by a punch rather than a clash of heads and the result would have been defeat.

The Giant Falls To Norwich

If you ask me, I was too happy at the end of this match. I’m not a Manchester City hater, neither am I a sympathizer or lover. But It felt really good to see them fall to Norwich City.

To me, it felt like a final – winners of the English Championship and Premier League champions – and City fell.

Pep Guardiola, who spoke of his confidence in his team despite the loss, was almost seen as the untouchable one and he was able to challenge any opponent he faced with his Man City squad. But it is the Premier League, a gift that keeps on giving.

One of the joys that the fixture gave me was seeing Norwich’s star scorer Teemu Pukki getting and assist and eventually a goal that sank the City ship, what a joy it was for the fans and some of us that really wanted Guardiola to feel the burn of losing. I tell you, this win will almost never be forgotten by Norwich fans.

However, something caught my attention after this game.

Guardiola has been ‘accepted’ by the English media as a manager who can do no wrong. Are you wondering how?

Ask yourself what the headlines would have said if this was a Mourinho, a Wenger or a Klopp that lost to the winner of the Championship with over £600 million spent in squad fortification.